Marine Gen. James Amos says skepticism in infantry about women

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The Marine Corps commandant says the infantry side is skeptical about how women will perform in those units, and some positions may end up being closed if not enough females fail to meet the rigorous standards.

Gen. James Amos spoke to reporters Thursday at a defense conference in San Diego hosted by the U.S. Naval Institute.

Amos says most Marines support the Defense Department's lifting of the ban last week, which opened thousands of positions to women. But he says the more dangerous, all-male infantry units are more skeptical.

Amos says if there is not enough interest among female service members to join the infantry or few qualify for those positions then they may be closed to women.

The Marines opened their infantry school to women in the fall. Two tried unsuccessfully.